Chapter 235 The River 2

Chapter 235: Chapter 235 The River 2

Talia’s POV

Jax widened his eyes.

"I am impossible?" Jax said, his voice rising with mock offense. "Silas, I am the most reasonable wolf in this group."

Piper snorted. "Reasonable? You complained about the water before you even touched it."

"That is called being prepared," Jax said. "I was mentally preparing myself for the cold."

"Mentally preparing?" Silas asked. "You were whining."

"I do not whine," Jax said. "I express my feelings."

"Expression your feelings," Piper repeated, and she shook her head. "Is that what you call it?"

Jax placed his hand over his heart again. "You are all so cruel to me. I am just a simple wolf trying to survive this journey."

Kaelen glanced back at him. "If you are so simple, then stop talking."

Jax’s mouth dropped open. "Kaelen, I am wounded. Deeply wounded. And here I thought we were friends."

"We are friends," Kaelen said. "That is why I am telling you to stop talking."

I laughed, and I felt the tension in my shoulders ease. It was good to laugh, even in the middle of all this danger.

"I am charming," Jax raised a finger up. "There is a difference."

Piper snorted. "Charming is not the word I would use."

Jax placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me, Piper."

Piper laughed, and I felt a smile spread across my face. It felt good to hear laughter, and to feel normal for a moment.

But the moment did not last.

Silas raised his hand, and the group came to a stop. "There is something ahead."

I looked forward, and I saw it. There was a river that was wide and fast-moving, and the water was churning and rushing over the rocks. The bridge that once crossed it was destroyed, only a few broken planks remaining.

Kaelen dismounted and walked to the edge of the river. He studied the water, and his jaw tightened.

"We will have to cross the water," he said.

I looked at the river, and my stomach turned. The water was cold and deep, and I could feel the current pulling at the banks.

"There is no other way," Silas said. "The bridge is gone."

Jax sighed. "Great. I was hoping to stay dry today."

Kaelen turned to me. "Are you okay?"

I touched the pendant around my neck, holding it tightly. "I will be fine."

He walked to me and took my hand. "I will be right beside you."

I nodded. "I know."

Piper stepped forward. "I will go first, to test the depth."

Kaelen shook his head. "No. I will go first, while you stay with Talia."

Piper looked at me, and I nodded. "Okay."

Kaelen stepped into the water, and I held my breath. The current was strong, and I could see it pulling at his legs. But he stayed steady, planting his feet firmly on the riverbed.

"It is deep," he called back. "But the current is not too strong. Everyone, follow my path."

Jax groaned. "Cold water? Just my favorite."

Silas shook his head. "Just get in the water, Jax."

"I am going," Jax said. "I am just complaining first."

Piper laughed. "You are always complaining."

"It is part of my charm," Jax shrugged his shoulders. .

"You keep telling yourself that," Piper said.

I stepped into the water, and I gasped. The cold hit me like a slap, and I felt the current pulling at my legs. I clutched my pendant, holding it above the water.

"Talia," Kaelen called. "Are you okay?"

"I am fine," I said. "The water is just... cold."

"Keep moving," he said. "Do not stop."

I took a step forward, and I felt the rocks shift beneath my feet. I stumbled, and I felt myself falling.

Kaelen caught me before I hit the water, and his arms wrapped around me, and he held me steady.

"I have got you," he said.

I looked up at him, and I saw the worry in his eyes. "I am okay," I said. "I just slipped."

"Be careful," he said. "I cannot lose you."

"You will not lose me," I said. "I am right here."

He held my gaze for a moment longer, and then he let me go. "Keep moving."

I nodded, and I continued crossing the river. The current was strong, but I kept my feet planted, and I held my pendant above the water.

When I reached the other side, I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. I turned and watched the others cross.

Piper crossed next, her face pale but determined. Jax followed, complaining the whole way. Silas crossed with ease, and Cain brought up the rear, with his eyes still scanning the trees.

When we were all on the other side, we regrouped.

Jax wrung out his shirt. "I am never going to be warm again."

Piper laughed. "You are such a baby."

"I am a baby who is freezing," Jax said.

Silas shook his head. "You will survive."

"Barely," Jax said.

I looked back at the river, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I saw something moving in the trees on the other side, like a shadow, and a figure.

I froze.

"Talia," Kaelen said. "What is wrong?"

I did not answer. I could not because my eyes were fixed on the shadow, and I could feel its eyes on me.

"Talia," he said again. "What is it?"

I finally found my voice. "Someone is still following us."

He followed my gaze, and I saw his jaw tighten. "I do not see anything."

"I saw it," I said. "I am sure of it."

He looked at me, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. He wanted to believe me, but he did not see anything.

"Keep moving," he said. "We will deal with it later."

I nodded, and I forced myself to turn away. But I could still feel the eyes on me, cold and unblinking.

We mounted our horses and continued the journey, but I could not shake the feeling that we were not alone.

Someone was watching us, and someone was following us.

And I did not know what they wanted.